Proverbs chapter 14
The collection of Solomon’s 375 proverbs continues.
THE COLLECTION OF SOLOMON’S PROVERBS CONTINUES
VERSE 1. Every wise woman builds her house, but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands.
tears it down with her own hands. Some people have a destructive nature. They destroy the good things in their own lives.
VERSE 2. He who walks in his uprightness fears the LORD, but he who is perverse in his ways despises him.
VERSE 3. The fool’s talk brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them.
The fool. The Hebrew word is eveel. It means arrogant, hardened, thickheaded.
VERSE 4. Where no oxen are, the crib is clean, but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
VERSE 5. A truthful witness will not lie, but a false witness pours out lies.
pours out lies. Even though a witness swears to tell the truth, many Christian witnesses lie.
VERSE 6. A scoffer seeks wisdom, and doesn’t find it, but knowledge comes easily to a discerning person.
VERSE 7. Stay away from a foolish man, for you won’t find knowledge on his lips.
Stay away from a foolish man. If you become close to a foolish person, you will absorb some of their own foolishness.
You will become more of a fool for having befriended them.
VERSE 8. The wisdom of the prudent is to think about his way, but the folly of fools is deceit.
VERSE 9. Fools mock at making atonement for sins, but among the upright there is good will.
mock at making atonement. When they do something wrong, fools make fun of the idea of making amends for it.
VERSE 10. The heart knows its own bitterness and joy; he will not share these with a stranger.
VERSE 11. The house of the wicked will be overthrown, but the tent of the upright will flourish.
VERSE 12. There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
NIV translation. There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
This verse is fantastic! Would you consider memorizing it? More great verses to memorize from the Book of Proverbs and from the entire Bible.
a way which seems right. Our own plans often seem fine. However, it is best to get input from wise people. Read more »
VERSE 13. Even in laughter the heart may be sorrowful, and mirth may end in heaviness.
VERSE 14. The unfaithful will be repaid for his own ways; likewise a good man will be rewarded for his ways.
VERSE 15. A simple man believes everything, but the prudent man carefully considers his ways.
simple man believes everything. We are not to be simpletons. Rather, we should be discerning.
It helps to have the Gift of Discernment. If you don’t have it, find somebody who does.
VERSE 16. A wise man fears and shuns evil, but the fool is hot headed and reckless.
hot headed and reckless. This describes a lot of politicians.
VERSE 17. He who is quick to become angry will commit folly, and a crafty man is hated.
VERSE 18. The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
The simple inherit folly. A simple person is gullible.
They are easily tricked or manipulated into an ill-advised course of action.
For that reason, they embrace folly, and reject wisdom.
VERSE 19. The evil bow down before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
VERSE 20. The poor person is shunned even by his own neighbor, but the rich person has many friends.
the rich person has many friends. The “friends” are drawn in because of riches. Of course, these friendships are shallow.
VERSE 21. He who despises his neighbor sins, but he is blessed who has pity on the poor.
VERSE 22. Don’t they go astray who plot evil? But love and faithfulness belong to those who plan good.
VERSE 23. In all hard work there is profit, but the talk of the lips leads only to poverty.
In all hard work there is profit. Solomon praises working hard.
Of course, Solomon himself never worked hard. He was the richest person on earth. He just wanted people to work hard for him.
VERSE 24. The crown of the wise is their riches, but the folly of fools crowns them with folly.
crown of the wise is their riches. In the Old Testament era, some people said if you are holy, God will make you rich. In our day, this view is growing in popularity among professing Christians. Read more »
VERSE 25. A truthful witness saves souls, but a false witness is deceitful.
saves souls. Telling the truth when giving testimony in court can save someone from the death penalty.
VERSE 26. In the fear of the LORD is a secure fortress, and he will be a refuge for his children.
VERSE 27. The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning people from the snares of death.
VERSE 28. In the multitude of people is the king’s glory, but in the lack of people is the destruction of the prince.
VERSE 29. He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a quick temper displays folly.
slow to anger. Are you slow to anger? If not, how can you slow down your anger?
VERSE 30. The life of the body is a heart at peace, but envy rots the bones.
a heart at peace. Is your heart at peace?
VERSE 31. He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for his Maker, but he who is kind to the needy honors him.
oppresses the poor. In our day it is common for wealthy people to exploit poor people.
shows contempt for his Maker. If you oppress poor people, you are expressing contempt for the LORD God.
kind to the needy. Would poor people say you are nice to them?
honors him. When we are kind to poor people, we honor the LORD God.
VERSE 32. The wicked is brought down in his calamity, but in death, the righteous has a refuge.
VERSE 33. Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding, and is even made known in the inward part of fools.
VERSE 34. Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.
Righteousness exalts a nation. Righteousness among a group of people has a synergistic beneficial effect.
VERSE 35. The king’s favor is toward a servant who deals wisely, but his wrath is toward one who causes shame.
PROVERBS
CHAPTERS: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31
RESOURCES: Summary, Outline, Memorize, Sluggard, Tree of Life, Misogynism
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